Somalia’s Interior Minister Meets Electoral Commission, Backs One-Person-One-Vote Reform

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh, met with the Independent National Electoral and Boundary Commission to discuss progress on electoral reforms.

Commission Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan briefed the minister and his deputy on the commission’s efforts, particularly in voter registration and preparations for upcoming elections.

Minister Ali Hosh praised the commission’s work, emphasizing the importance of implementing a one-person-one-vote system to empower citizens and enhance democratic transparency and accountability.

The meeting comes amid Somalia’s broader push to transition from an indirect electoral model to a direct voting system.

Authorities have committed to establishing a credible framework for universal suffrage, with initial phases including biometric voter registration and the establishment of permanent electoral infrastructure.

Officials say the goal is to hold direct elections at both federal and state levels, gradually replacing the clan-based power-sharing model that has dominated Somali politics for decades.

The government has previously announced its intent to hold nationwide one-person-one-vote elections by 2026, though challenges remain, including security threats and political fragmentation.

Both the ministry and the commission underscored the need for continued technical support, public awareness campaigns, and legal frameworks to ensure that the electoral process remains inclusive, transparent, and sustainable.